While the World Rugby Classic is the place for ex-internationals to get together, not all of the stars are on the field as the Classic continues to attract some of the legends of the game to Bermuda for Classic Week.

When one thinks of rugby “legends” the name, Willie John McBride, would be the first on everyone’s lips. Captain of Ireland and Captain of the most successful British & Irish Lions team ever, he remains an icon in the world of rugby. Indeed, just a few months ago, he was chosen to present the jerseys to the Lions team before the first Test in South Africa  and continues to be in huge demand as an after-dinner speaker. He played 63 times for Ireland from 1962 to 1975 and 68 times for the Lions, including 17 Test matches, from 1962-1974. He led the 1974 Lions, having already toured with them on four previous occasions, in 22 matches in South Africa where they remained undefeated.

David Duckham was one of England’s finest players, playing 36 times for his country from 1969 to 1976 both on the wing and in the centre. His partnership with John Spencer was considered, until Will Carling and Jeremy Guscott joined forces, the finest English pairing ever. He was possessed with great pace and a huge side-step which made him a star on the 1971 Lions Tour to New Zealand where he scored eleven tries. He was the only English back in the famous 1973 Barbarians team which beat the All Blacks in what was considered the game of the century and featured one of the greatest ever tries in rugby.

“JPR” Williams was the outstanding fullback of his generation, playing for Wales and the Lions. He played 55 times for his country and 8 times for the Lions, in an international career from 1969 to 1981. He toured with Willie John on the 1971 & 1974 Lions winning both Test series. He also played tennis at Wimbledon becoming Junior Champion in 1966.

Andy Haden played over one hundred times for the New Zealand All Blacks, including 41 Test matches, from 1972 to 1986. One of the great legends of New Zealand rugby to whom all others looked up to and whose performances were often the difference between winning and loosing. He was one of the pioneers in the drive towards professionalism which often brought him into dispute with rugby’s officialdom. He played against the 1977 Lions with the All Blacks winning the series and was one the first All Blacks to compete in Europe during the off-season, playing for Harlequins in England and Algida in Italy.

Allan Martin played 34 times for Wales from 1973- to 1981 and toured with the 1977 and 1980 Lions. He was first capped against Australia in 1973 and played his final game for Wales, against France in 1981.

Mark Regan has played 46 times for England from 1995-2008 as hooker and once for the Lions (1997). He made his international debut in 1995 against South Africa and toured with the Lions to that country in 1997. He played for Bristol from 1991-1997, Bath from 1997-2002, Leeds Tykes from 2002-2005 and returned to Bristol for the 2005-2006 season being instrumental in helping Bristol retain their newly promoted elevation to the Premiership. He was selected captain of the Barbarians against South Africa in 2007 but was refused permission by his Club to play, a decision he ignored!

Colin Charvis is a former captain of Wales having previously played for Wales Students, Wales U-21 and Wales A. He made his full international debut in 1996 against Australia and went on to play 94 times for his country making him Wales’ second most capped player.
In 2007 he became the world record try scorer for a forward in test match rugby, having played as a flanker or No.8, when he scored his 22nd international try against South Africa. He played in the 1999 World Cup, captained his country in the 2003 World Cup and was also a member of the 2007 World Cup squad and also played two tests for the Lions in the 2001 tour of Australia. Colin started his playing career with London Welsh in 1992 and moved to Swansea in 1995, Tarbes (France) for the 2003/2004 season, Newcastle Falcons, as captain till 2006 and finally Newport Gwent Dragons as player/coach.

The World Rugby Classic runs from the 8th to the 14th November with all games played at the National Sports Centre